Obsession

Secret: Chapter 18

One month had passed by in the blink of an eye and the group was certainly drifting apart.

Chris Choi and Rebecca Stroup had become the 'it' couple of Shaw Public High School. They had quickly climbed the ranks and were now considered the best or cutest couple, and every day at lunch, they would sit together. The group still gathered for lunch, but it was not the same as most times, the happy couple would be locked in their own world where only the two of them existed.

Gabriel and Josh were often left to their own devices and were hanging out more than they did before. They had grown closer now that Chris and Rebecca seemed to only have time for each other outside of Rebecca's school work and club activities, and outside of Chris' school work and soccer.

But still, things were not nearly the same.

Within that one month, Gabriel – being the one to spend most of his available time allotted for friends – had noticed that Josh was becoming withdrawn. He threw up a mask like nothing was wrong, and prattled on, bickering, and bantering like he always had for as long as Gabriel had known him, but he could sense that something wasn't quite right.

Josh had refused to speak about it when he was confronted as Gabriel had noticed that there were some days when he chose to be by himself and would avoid social interactions of any sort. Suffice it to say, Gabriel was worried for his friend, but there was nothing he could do if Josh didn't want to speak about it. Even if he had a fair idea of what maybe wrong, but no solid proof.

All he ever said was, "I'm fine," or, "I'll handle it."

He said it with such confidence and charisma that anyone would believe him, and just like that, he would be back to his usual self, so no one really knew what was happening with him to explain those spontaneous – though rare – changes in mood.

Gabriel's relationship with Julian had taken on a more serious note. They had kept their relationship secret from the town of Shaw at large, keeping those who knew limited to their immediate circles. They were aware of the possible backlash and had thus, decided to bask in the glory and freedom of being in a secret relationship – no matter how rebellious it felt at times – before they made the mutual decision to let their association with the other be known to the general public.

Most of their dates took place on a Friday afternoon, and on the weekends so it was no surprise when Julian showed up and whisked Gabriel away. They would go outside of Shaw, in the neighbouring cities and at venues where they would be least likely to run into anyone from town, or anyone who could tie them back to Shaw. If they went on dates in town, they would do so with a group and would invite their friends to remove outside attention and suspicion.

If they wanted to spent time alone while in Shaw, they would go to the other's house. Julian, especially, had taken favour to sneaking into the Hastings' residence at night time – mindful not to knock over the two potted plants on the inside of Gabriel's room, stationed at either side of the window. Julian had mentioned adopting a cat for Gabriel and while the latter was touched, he opted to care for plants as a trial run before moving onto a living animal. They would talk about random things on those nights that Julian had snuck in like a skilled bandit or watch movies and TV shows. Only when Gabriel fell asleep, would he leave and return home.

Jeremiah Hastings was fully aware of what was happening between his son and Julian Stroup. He had reprimanded Julian for sneaking into his house like a bandit, and Gabriel for allowing such scandalous behaviour. But he hadn't condemned their relationship and rebellious, secretive conduct since he knew they didn't have the same freedom as heterosexual couples in a town like Shaw. Thus, he had laid down a few ground rules they would follow if they intended to continue their relationship.